Thin RFID Tags for Petri-Dish Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for tracking petri-dishes in laboratory/pharmaceutical environments are cumbersome, as they require manual intervention and suffer from occlusion threats, direct line of sight requirements, and high storage needs, with existing RFID tags being too thick to interfere with petri-dish usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing thin-form-factor RFID tags with high readability ranges, affixed to petri-dishes for automatic tracking, using RFID readers to monitor movement and usage across different environments with minimal manual intervention, and integrating with a petri-dish management system for data logging and alerting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional RFID tags with high readability ranges are used, then tracking capability is improved, but the tag thickness increases and interferes with petri-dish usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadability rangeVSAvoidtag thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using a thin film RFID tag that can be affixed to the petri-dish without significant thickness. The tag comprises a flexible substrate with RFID components embedded therein, allowing it to conform to the petri-dish surface while maintaining high readability range and not interfering with petri-dish usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Device complexity

If manual barcode scanning is used, then implementation simplicity is improved, but tracking efficiency and automation are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidtracking efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by implementing an automatic tracking system where RFID readers automatically detect and track petri-dishes as they move through different locations. The system self-updates the database with location information without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving tracking efficiency while maintaining implementation simplicity through standardized RFID infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies this principle by replacing the manual mechanical barcode scanning process with an automated RFID reading system. The RFID system uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track petri-dishes, eliminating the need for manual line-of-sight scanning and significantly improving tracking efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If surveillance cameras are used for tracking, then visual monitoring capability is improved, but storage requirements and processing speed are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual monitoring capabilityVSAvoidstorage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by extracting only the essential tracking information (petri-dish identification and location data) from the surveillance process. Instead of storing and processing entire video feeds, the system uses RFID technology to capture only the necessary data points, dramatically reducing storage requirements while maintaining effective tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Area of stationary object

If multiple battery-operated cameras are deployed, then tracking coverage is improved, but clean room temperature stability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking coverageVSAvoidclean room temperature stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by replacing battery-operated cameras with RFID readers that do not require power sources within the clean room environment. The RFID system uses passive tags and readers that can operate without generating heat or requiring battery changes, thereby maintaining tracking coverage while preserving clean room temperature stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient, automatic tracking of petri-dishes with minimal manual intervention, reducing errors and improving workflow by providing real-time monitoring and alerting capabilities without interfering with their usage.

Implementation Method 1

Each petri-dish has a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag affixed to it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3985548B1Methods and systems for managing a petri-dish

Publication Date: 2023.09.27 AIRAMATRIX PTE LTD

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Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D

AI summary

Embodiments herein disclose a RFID tag affixed on the petri-dish, wherein the RFID tag has a thin formfactor, so as not to interfere in the use and operation of the petri-dish and a sufficiently large readability range. Embodiments herein disclose methods and systems for RFID based asset tracking of petri-dishes in a laboratory/pharmaceutical/manufacturing environment, wherein the movement of the petri-dishes are tracked automatically with minimal manual intervention.